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Gaia Creations today for an initial consultation!

CA # 829954
530-321-9715
P.O. Box 3358
Chico, CA 95927
OUR SITE IS DYNAMIC AND ALWAYS
IMAGE OF THE MONTH
July
We are an ecological landscape company serving northern Butte and southern Tehama counties in beautiful Northern California.
GAIA CREATIONS
ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING
About this Website
The ELA is a nonprofit organization of dedicated landscape professionals, individual gardeners, educators, and more who are committed to educating themselves and others about ecological landscaping.  Visit on the web at www.ecolandscaping.org
www.ecolandscaping.org
Gaia Creations is an active member of the Ecological Landscaping Association & ELA-CA
Providing our local community with ecologically sound landscape solutions!
Eco Land Tips
ECHINACEA

This amazing herb comes from east of Rocky's originally.  Echinacea purpurea (shown above) is from the far eastern U.S. while the species angustifolia is from the central U.S. east.  Though this plant is not native to California its benefits far outweigh its origin. 

The uses for this herb are recorded in history from the Dakota, Cheyenne, Lakota and more Native American peoples.  Most often the root was chewed for toothaches and mouth sores while the leaves and stems were infused for tonics and headaches.  It is widely known today to aid the immune system in a battle over the common cold.  Cultivated easily this herb deserves its grace in our gardens.

We have been providing ecological services and education utilizing organic horticulture and sustainable landscape methods since 2000.

Plants out of place
Check out Chico ECO  for eco-friendly events in the Chico area!
Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) is a weed sold in chain nurseries still to this day. This invasive weed is pretty to look at but not after is has taken over the garden! Manage this weed by manual removal (no chemicals necessary) then mulch heavily (3-6 inches deep).Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica) is a common landscape weed that spreads by seed. The roots are extremely fibrous and will hold the soil in place quite well. Manage this invasive pest with manual removal of entire plant BEFORE FLOWERING (or if not in flower mulch-on-site)! Then MULCH heavily!Creeping Woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a menacing weed that spreads by underground runners and seed. The seed pods rupture when humidity levels change spreading seed everywhere. Manage this invasive pest with manual removal of all roots and creeping stems BEFORE THEY FLOWER! Then MULCH!Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a common plant found in our landscapes. Little do people know of its edibility in salads or steamed but most know even less about a dandelions ability to harness nutrients from deep in the soil they then accumulate in their leaves. A great M-O-S plant & no weed!
that is the question!

What is a weed?  "A plant out of place" is the answer given by most horticulture folks.  But what is a weed in the eyes of an ecological landscape?

Only three of the four plants shown above are what we consider to be invasive and should be managed well in the landscape.  Their escape can be time consuming the long run.

Can you guess which plant is not a weed to the eyes of an ecological landscaper?  Click on the images above for the answer.
Echinacea
TO WEED OR NOT TO WEED...